Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has welcomed the Government’s announcement recently on reforms to the Feed-in Tariff Scheme (FITS) which should provide greater clarity for consumers and installers of renewable energy across the County. In a bid to make the scheme more predictable and stable, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), has put forward a number of reforms which have been inspired by Germany's tariff structure.

From April 1st a tariff of 21p/kWh will take effect for domestic-size solar panels with an eligibility date on or after 3rd March 2012.

Other tariff reductions apply for larger installations. Properties installing solar panels from 1st April this year will be required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate rating of ‘D’ or above to qualify for a full FIT. This is lower than the ‘C’ rating highlighted in the consultation and is particularly welcome given the high number of older properties in rural areas like Pembrokeshire. It is estimated that about half of all properties are already eligible for a ‘D’ rating.

From 1st April 2012, a new ‘multi-installation’ tariff will also be introduced for solar PV installations where a single individual or organisation is already receiving FITs for other solar PV installations.

This reflects the lower costs of such installations, as they benefit from the economies of scale. Based on the feedback DECC received, the threshold has been set at more than 25 installations. A second consultation has also been opened on a proposal that social housing, community projects and distributed energy schemes be given preferential treatment. It is estimated that under the reforms almost two and a half times more installations than originally projected by 2015 will be registered and will include a greater variety of renewable technologies including anaerobic digestion and micro-CHP. The reform will help to encourage mass participation in low carbon energy production for the long term.

In recent months Stephen has met with numerous businesses and households across Pembrokeshire affected by the decision last year to cut the level of tariff available for solar panels. In November last year he held a special surgery specifically on the issue of solar tariffs and fed views back to Ministers.

In January Stephen was invited to meet staff and customers at Good Life, a renewable energy specialist based in Narberth. Stephen met with business owner, Robin Bowen, staff and a group of constituents, to discuss the tariff scheme and other policies affecting the industry.

Stephen was also interested to hear more about the common barriers that residents face when installing renewable technologies, not least Council and National Park planning restrictions. Stephen Crabb MP commented: “I welcome the Government’s decision to link the subsidy levels to cost reductions. This will give more certainty to investors, placing the small scale renewable industry on a more secure, sustainable footing for the future. It will also ensure that the benefits of FITs are not restricted to a small number of people but reaches a larger number.”

Want more information on what type of renewable energy is best suited to your property? Then give the experts at Good Life a call, they will talk you through the pros and cons of a variety of solutions using Alternative and Renewable Energy. Call now on 01834 909 029